What is the difference between 304 stainless steel and 201 stainless steel?

1. 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel are two commonly used stainless steel grades. The mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and toughness of 304 stainless steel are better than 201 stainless steel, but the price is slightly more expensive. 201 stainless steel is brighter than 304 stainless steel after polishing.

2. 201 stainless steel has the characteristic of weak magnetic permeability, and it will become magnetic after cold working. 304 stainless steel is not magnetically conductive.

3.201 stainless steel is easy to rust, and 304 stainless steel is not easy to rust.

4. The chemical composition is different:

Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Ni	Cr
201	≤0.150	≤1.00	≤5.5-7.5	≤0.060	≤0.030	3.5-5.5	16-18
304	≤0.08	≤1.00	≤2.00	≤0.045	≤0.030	8.00-11.00	18.00-20.00

5. Different corrosion resistance: 201 stainless steel has higher manganese content, the surface is very bright with dark light, and the higher manganese content is easy to rust. 304 stainless steel contains more chromium, the surface is matte and does not rust. Stainless steel is not easy to rust because chromium-rich oxides are formed on the surface of the steel body to protect the steel body. 201 stainless steel belongs to high manganese stainless steel, which is harder than 304 stainless steel, has high carbon and low nickel.

6. The main application is different: 201 stainless steel has certain acid and alkali resistance, high density, no bubbles and no pinholes after polishing, and is a high-quality material for the production of various watch cases and strap bottom covers. 201 stainless steel is mainly used to make decorative pipes, industrial pipes, and some shallow stretched products. 304 stainless steel has the characteristics of good processing performance and high toughness, 304 stainless steel is widely used in industry, furniture decoration industry and food and medical industry.